Best Online Engineering Programs in Virginia Beach, VA (2026)
Virginia Beach, Virginia has a population of about 457,066. The city’s median household income is $90,685 (Census ACS 2023, 5-year). About 40.4% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. There are 5 accredited engineering programs within 100 miles of Virginia Beach. In the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area, the top-earning engineering-related role is Architectural and Engineering Manager at a median $157,060 annually (BLS OEWS, May 2024).
Closest Engineering Schools to Virginia Beach
The five accredited institutions below are the closest options indexed in our directory that offer engineering programs. Distances are calculated from Virginia Beach city center.
| School | City | Distance | Tuition | Online |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ECPI University | Virginia Beach, VA | 10.6 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Norfolk State University | Norfolk, VA | 14.8 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Tidewater Community College | Norfolk, VA | 15.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Old Dominion University | Norfolk, VA | 18.1 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
| Virginia Peninsula Community College | Hampton, VA | 30.9 mi | Contact school for pricing | – |
Source: IPEDS / College Scorecard (2023 cohort). Browse all Virginia schools on the Virginia engineering page.
Engineering Wages Near Virginia Beach
Virginia Beach is part of the Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC metro area (BLS area code 47260). Where MSA-level wages are published, the table below shows MSA medians; otherwise it falls back to Virginia statewide.
| Occupation | Median Wage | Source | COL-Adjusted (US=100) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Civil Engineer | $94,060 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $96,078 |
| Electrical Engineer | $106,070 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $108,345 |
| Mechanical Engineer | $97,470 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $99,561 |
| Chemical Engineer | $132,550 | VA statewide | $135,393 |
| Aerospace Engineer | $132,160 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $134,995 |
| Biomedical Engineer | $103,110 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $105,322 |
| Environmental Engineer | $99,250 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $101,379 |
| Architectural and Engineering Manager | $157,060 | Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | $160,429 |
Source: BLS, May 2024 Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes wage data at the metro (MSA) and state level – not by individual city.
Virginia Beach at a Glance
| Metric | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 457,066 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B01003) |
| Median household income | $90,685 | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B19013) |
| Adults 25+ with bachelor’s+ | 40.4% | Census ACS 2023 5-yr (B15003) |
| Regional Price Parity (US=100) | 97.9 (below U.S. average) | BEA RPP 2024 |
| Engineering-related employment in Virginia Beach (city) County | 4,672 workers, 263 establishments | BLS QCEW 2024 annual |
Other Virginia Beach-Area Cities With Engineering Programs
- Chesapeake, VA – 14.8 mi away (237,940 pop)
- Norfolk, VA – 16.3 mi away (245,115 pop)
- Portsmouth, VA – 18.9 mi away (95,252 pop)
- Hampton, VA – 28.4 mi away (135,410 pop)
- Elizabeth City, NC – 32.1 mi away (22,934 pop)
Frequently Asked Questions
How many accredited engineering programs are near Virginia Beach, VA?
Our directory lists 5 engineering programs within 100 miles of Virginia Beach. The closest is ECPI University in Virginia Beach, VA (10.6 miles), and the farthest in our top picks is Virginia Peninsula Community College (30.9 miles). 0 of these programs are offered fully online.
What are the highest-paying engineering roles near Virginia Beach?
Based on BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, the top-paying engineering-related roles near Virginia Beach are: Architectural and Engineering Manager ($157,060), Chemical Engineer ($132,550), Aerospace Engineer ($132,160). These reflect MSA-level medians where published, with Virginia statewide fallback for occupations not reported at the metro level.
Should I look at programs in Chesapeake instead of Virginia Beach?
Chesapeake, VA is 14.8 miles from Virginia Beach and has its own set of local engineering programs – see the city’s page. For online programs, distance matters less; for hybrid or in-person formats, comparing both can help.
Is Virginia Beach an affordable place to study engineering?
Virginia Beach’s median household income of $90,685 (Census ACS 2023) is one input. Online programs let students stay in Virginia Beach while attending lower-cost out-of-state schools, and Virginia public universities often offer reduced in-state online tuition.
How do I verify a program is accredited?
Confirm institutional accreditation via the U.S. Department of Education database (U.S. Dept. of Education database), and check for any program-specific accreditation listed by the school.
Related Resources
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